Yesterday, a wise friend shared a wise word.
"Most conflict is really about who's most beloved."
When my children used to bring their arguments to me, the real question was not about who was in the right or who was in the wrong, but a longing to be told who was loved the best.
In the church, conflict flares. We seem to pick on our brothers and sisters. Most of our arguments come when we doubt another's intentions or even their faith. We might be struggling with our own self worth, our own "stuff" of which we might not even be aware, and we throw out the question, "Do you love me?" hoping someone will come alongside us and say, "Yes, I love you, even more than I love the others."
Sibling rivalry is a very old enemy. Wondering who is better, who is more faithful, who is more "saved," who is more worthy, puts us in a Cain position poised for murder. We spend a lot of time defending ourselves to one another. We want to know who will sit in the best seat, who will get Mom's attention first, who will have the most baby pictures, who will receive the most light.
I wonder what would happen if each of us knew just how much God truly loves us, if we could rest and relax in the arms of God, big enough to hold us tight right along with all the rest of our brothers and sisters.
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